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Claire, Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc: Advize Career Interview
A career in environmental construction project management offers a dynamic and rewarding path, as illustrated by a recent interview with a HELIX Environmental Planning Inc. professional.
This individual's journey began with an environmental science degree and diverse early career experiences, including a university career center position and an internship at the Bear Yuba Land Trust.
The interviewee's current role involves multifaceted responsibilities, from business development and project implementation to client management and team leadership.
Success in this field requires strong time management, adaptability, and a proactive approach to securing projects and building teams, even within a competitive niche market.
The interviewee's experience highlights the importance of diverse college experiences, networking, and overcoming self-doubt to achieve career goals.
Opportunities abound for entry-level positions, and the collaborative nature of the environmental consulting industry—with a shared passion for sustainable development—provides both professional and personal fulfillment.
Despite the challenges of a male-dominated field, the interviewee's success story inspires confidence and encourages exploration of this exciting career path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Claire Watkins
Construction Project Manager
HELIX Environmental Planning Inc
Oregon State University
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Environmental & Related Sciences
Professional Services
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of An Environmental Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning
Claire's career path, beginning with an environmental science degree from Oregon State University, involved a multifaceted approach to career exploration; a job in the university career center provided valuable "project management, task management and event management skills," while an internship at the Bear Yuba Land Trust and subsequent job searching led to the current role as a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc., where they've progressed through different project management levels over five years.
Main Responsibilities of a Construction Project Manager at HELIX
Claire's role as a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc. involves managing habitat restoration projects from "start to finish," encompassing business development—"going to networking events, connecting with clients"—competitive bidding, project implementation with field crews, and ensuring client satisfaction. The multifaceted nature of the role includes "managing the crews, making sure they have supplies," scheduling, and forward planning for future projects.
A Day In The Life Of A Construction Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning Inc
A Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc. juggles multiple projects simultaneously, constantly updating schedules—"it's always changing"—and meticulously tracking budgets to avoid overspending. This involves frequent client communication, site visits, coordinating with various teams (including temporary staff), and ensuring timely project completion through proactive planning and adjustments.
Most Important Skills for a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
For a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc, the most crucial skills are "time management and multitasking," since the role involves numerous concurrent projects and client demands; adaptability is also key, as "things are always gonna change," requiring schedule adjustments and a flexible approach to maintain productivity and meet deadlines.
Favorite Parts of Being a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc
Claire enjoys the multidisciplinary nature of her role as a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc., managing "design build projects" from "start to finish," collaborating with internal teams across planning, design, biology, and construction phases. This unique, in-house capacity differentiates HELIX from competitors who often outsource tasks, offering Claire rewarding teamwork opportunities both internally and with external partners.
Biggest Challenges For A Construction Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning
Claire's biggest challenge as a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc. was "building and growing a team," especially during the initial years when "cold calling" and networking were crucial for business development in a niche industry. This competitive environment, with only a few similar contractors, required significant effort to build qualifications and secure projects, but five years of dedication finally yielded substantial growth and team expansion.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Environmental Consulting As A Construction Project Manager
Claire enjoys the collaborative spirit within the environmental consulting industry, noting that "a lot of the people...really appreciate and value natural resources," sharing a common goal of sustainable development. This shared passion, coupled with the drive to succeed in the private sector, motivates effective natural resource protection and project management.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Environmental Consulting Industry According To A Construction Project Manager At HELIX
In the private environmental consulting sector, individuals who thrive are "motivated to get work done," proactively seeking new project opportunities and demonstrating ambition. This career path offers diverse growth, allowing professionals to develop expertise in areas such as arboriculture, botany, or restoration project management, fostering a dynamic and enriching experience.
What a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Construction Industry
Unfortunately, I cannot provide a summary as the provided transcript is empty. There is no text to summarize regarding Claire's wishes for knowledge before entering the construction project management industry at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Construction Project Managers
Claire, a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc., highlighted diverse entry-level opportunities including "assistant project manager roles," biology and archeology positions, and "environmental planner one" roles focusing on impact reports and CQA review; additional entry-level support roles in technical editing, word processing, and even marketing are also available. These roles reflect a range of career paths within the environmental planning field, mirroring Claire's own progression from an entry-level position.
Career Lesson From A Construction Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning
Claire, a Construction Project Manager, learned to overcome self-doubt when working alongside more experienced colleagues, recognizing that "everybody brings different talents to the table," even if experience is initially a perceived disadvantage in securing projects. This realization, coupled with developing strong business development and networking skills, allowed Claire to leverage their unique strengths and contribute meaningfully to teams.
College Experiences For A Construction Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning Succeed
Claire, a Construction Project Manager, emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences during undergraduate studies, advocating for a balance between career-focused activities like internships and pursuing personal interests such as study abroad or extracurricular involvement. The interviewee stresses the value of "getting experience before getting into a career," suggesting that building skills and networking are crucial, and that finding the perfect fit may take time and involve "growing, learning, and absorbing information" through various roles and companies.
How Identity Shaped a Construction Project Manager's Career at HELIX Environmental Planning
While Claire feels that gender hasn't overly impacted career choices, navigating a male-dominated construction industry presents networking challenges; however, active engagement with groups like the Women in Construction conference and similar organizations provides valuable support, confidence-building, and crucial connections, proving "you can do anything you set your mind to."
Advizer Personal Links
LinkedIn: Claire Watkins
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